Banco de España
In the Plaza de la Cibeles, in front of the Palacio de Buenavista, on the opposite side of the Calle de Alcala, is the Banco de España - Bank of Spain.
The Bank was founded in 1856 and since 1880 it has had the monopoly on issuing money.
It was built during the reign of Alfonso XII.
To build it several buildings had to be demolished. It was finished in 1891. Subsequently, in 1927 the facade of the Calle de Alcala was extended, the most recent remodelling was finished in 2006, when the whole block was included in the building.
Now it has a surface area of 4726 m2 with 4 floors below ground, the main floor and four more above ground level.
On the main floor are the most important offices.